Lamp holder mounted on continuous conductor



May 1953 J. F. O'BRIEN ET AL LAMP HOLDER MOUNTED 0N CONTINUOUS CONDUCTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed Nov. 16, 1948 /7 //V V5 N TORS JOSEPH F O'BRIEN JOHN 5. CA TALOO KENNETH E. VROOM WM A GENTS May 12, 1953 J. F. OBRIEN ET AL 2,638,575

LAMP HOLDER MOUNTED 0N CONTINUOUS CONDUCTOR Filed Nov. 16, 1948 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 26 o o 23 23 I 1 I 4 24 3 23 i i- 2 G O w //vv/vro/?s'- JOSEPH 0.5mm 0 JOHN a. 0A TALDO 2 KENNETH 5. VROOM AGENTS Patented May 12, 1953 LAMP HOLDER MOUNTED ON CONTINUOUS CONDUCTOR Joseph F. OBrien, Lebanon, John B. Cataldo, Ainnandale, and Kenneth E. Vroom, Summit, N. .L, assignors to John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 16, 1948, Serial No. 60,286

1 Claim.

1 This invention relates to surface wiring, and more particularly to a lamp holder or receptacle for Connecting an electric light bulb in convenient position in circuit with the continuous conductors of an electrical conductor strip. The in-' vention is especially useful in its application to te nporary or semi-permanent interior lighting, to which use, however, it is not restricted.

Z-earrangement of a room, or shifting of interior partitioning to alter the size or horizontal dimensions of a room, frequently requires relocation of electrical outlets in the room. In such case, permanent walls may be pierced, additional convenience cutlets may be installed therein, and the walls may be refinished about such installations. Also new walls or partitions may be constructed with suitable wiring conduits therein, and built-in convenience outlets may be appropriately provided in such Walls when they are erected. In place of such relatively expensive construction, it is often preferred to fasten surface wiring along a wall or ceiling in the form of a conductor strip and to fix thereto, on the same, surface, receptacles for connection of electrical equipment in circuit with the conductors of the strip. Light, sightly and efiicient convenience outlets into which the blades of outlet plugs may be inserted have been developed in profusion. Accordingly, strip wiring has gained considerable favor for use with attachment plugs for the cords of floor lamps, table lamps, fans, heaters, toasters and like utility appliances. However, development of equally desirable electric light sockets for attachment immediately to strip wiring has not kept pace with that of plug-in receptacles.

We have now found it possible to provide a simple, light, safe receptacle for connecting an electric light bulb, or the like, in circuit with the continuous conductors of an electric conductor strip. The receptacle is of minimum size, is pleasing in appearance, and is easily fixed at once to the conductor strip and to the surface along which the strip is fastened. Furthermore, the receptacle completely encloses all portions of the strip from which insulation is removed for transfer of energy to contacts with the electric light bulb.

One form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 illustrates a wall and a ceiling along both of which a continuous strip conductor extends, and on each of which a receptacle, constructed and arranged according to the invention, positions an electric light bulb in circuit with the continuous conductors of the strip;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation of one of the receptacles shown in Fig. l and a section of the conductor strip to which it is attached, all shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the receptacle and conductor strip section shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. d is a broken, fragmental perspective View, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the electrical connections between the light bulb and the conductors 01 the strip within the receptacle;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line VV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 illustrates the receptacle cover shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as viewed from beneath, with the base and electrical parts removed;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a section of the conductor strip and electrical connections, with the receptacle housing removed;

Fig, 8 is a plan View of one of the conductor clips and its attachment prong, shown in Fig. '7

Fig. 9 is a cross-section taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. 2, the section being shown on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the left-hand contact clip and attachment prong shown in Fig. 9.

The drawings illustrate a wall I2 and an adjacent ceiling is, along the inner surface of which a conductor strip M- is fixed to convey electrical energy to convenient points thereon. Positioned upon the wall I2 and connected to the conductor strip it is a receptacle or lamp holder I5, into which an electric light bulb It is screwed for energization by the strip conductors. An identical lamp holder it is positioned upon the ceiling it where it is connected to the conductor strip i i in identical manner,

The conductor strip l-l is of well-known construction, comprising a strip of insulating material ll in which parallel conductors lSand 19 are embedded. Attachment to the supporting surfaces may be effected by screws, nails, or the like (not shown), passing through the strip between its conductors and into the Wall or ceiling.

The receptacle or lamp holder it comprises a cover it and a bottom 2| which enclose certain contact, and electrical connector elements, whereby the lamp or electric light bulb it is connected in circuit between the continuous conductors l8 and Ill of the strip it. The cover 20 and the bottom Zl of the lamp holder are fitted closely together and are held in closed position, as by screws 22. See Figs. 2 and 5. So fitted, the cover and bottom embrace the insulation of the conductor strip It at the ends of the lamp holder, and protect the strip and electrical conthe strip conductors I8 and I9.

nections which they enclose. To this end, the cover has pairs of end channels 23, 23 at each of its ends, which closely embrace a good part of the insulating material immediately surrounding A tongue 24 formed at eachend of the cover 20'between' the end channels of each-pair, as shown in Fig. 6, fits against the insulating material of the strip between its conductors, and improves the enclosure of the strip at the endsoithe lamp holder.

Fixing screws 25, 25 project through holes 26, 26 in the cover 20, and through coaxial holes (not shown) in the bottom 2| to-enter the wall|2o'r the ceiling I3 and fix the lamp holder to its surface. The heads of the fixing' screws bear upon plane surfaces 21, 21 provided'byshallow' recesses on the curved outer 'fa'ce adjacent each end of the top 2|]. In passing through the holes 26 in the cover and the corresponding co'a'xial holes in the bottom 2| "to enter the wall or the ceiling and hold the lamp holder thereon, the screws 25 also pass through the insulating material I! of the strip between the continuous conductors I8 and I9 thereof. Thus-the fixing screws 25 also act to fix the position of the conductor strip M within the' lamp holder I5 and to fixthe conductor strip to the-supporting surface. Within the cover and the bottom, between the fixing screws 25, the insulating material I? is removed from the continuous conductors I8'and I9-of the strip to permit attachment of electrical contacts for connecting the strip conducors to the lamp I6.

In the embodiment illustrated-a conductor clip 28 of spring metal is positioned in contact with each of the bared strip conductors I8 and I9 within the lamp holder IS. The clips 28 closely embrace the bared conductors by virtue of their resiliency, and make electrical contacts therewith. Unitary wings 29, 29 are formedupon the conductor clips at each of their ends, and are so formed as to draw the clips more closely about the conductor as the wings enter and are pressed together by appropriately formed sockets 30 within the cover 20. See Figs. 5 and 6. Each clip is formed with an attachment prong 3 I there- 'on'which extends therefrom in'the direction of the unitary wings 29, 29. ,It is through these prongs that electrical connectionis made between the strip conductors I8 and I9 and the electric light bulb I6. t

Positioned between the'attachment prongs 3|, and 3| of the two conductor clips 28 and 28,

when they are in place uponthe conductors l8 and I9,- is a base of insulating material 32 upon which the more immediate electrical connections for the lamp or electric light bulbyIB are fixed. As here shown,.the base 32 is a slab of insulating material which extends. substantially. completely across a central chamber 33 formed within the top 2|], when the lamp holder is assembled. The baseis provided with opposite notches 34, 34

.through which thgattachmeht prongs 3| and 3| extend. H H.

. A metallic contact member is fixedto the'base ,32 for electrical, connection along .the..stem .of

the electric light bulbl.,l6. .As here shown, this metallic contact member is ametallic shell 35 for reception, of the stemof the electric light bulb.

vThe shell 35 is open-ended and substantially cylindrical in shape; and .it is corrugated to form a helical thread into which the stem of the electric light bulb I6 may be screwed for electrical connection andpositioning. ,The metallic shell is fixed at one end to .thebase 32.. As here conductors I8 and 9.

conductor bar 3B, .is forked for this purpose, its

legs-being positioned'away from the axial center of the shell. The end of the conductor bar 38, which is distantfrom its connection with the flanges 36 and 36, is turned upwardly away from "the-surface of the base to which it is attached and'is connetced mechanically and electrically to the adjacent attachment prong 3|, as by a screw 39. SeeFig. 7. A second conductor bar 40 is fixed to the base centrally of the shell extending outwardly through .it beyond the shell out of .bontactitherewith'. "I'he shell 35 is cut away sufficie'ntly adjacent the base, as at 4|, to permit the second conductor bar 4|! to extend beyond the. shell without making contact therewith. Thus, the second conductor bar has one end positioned concentrically of the shell and extends across the base 32' in a direction opposite to that of the conductor bar 38, having its outer end turned upwardly and attached mechanically and electrically to'the adjacent attachment prong 3|, as by a screw 42. Accordingly, an electric light bulb, screwed into the shell 35, will make electrical contact by its axial and terminal with the inner end of the second conductor bar 40. A spring'member 43' is preferably fixed in electrical contact with the inner end of the second conductor bar 40 to bear resiliently upon the axial terminal of the electric light bulb as the latter is screwed fully into the shell 35. When screwed fully into the shell, the electric light bulb will be connected in circuit between the conductors 35, the conductor bar 38, the attachment prong 3I ;a ndthe clip 28; to the conductor I9 on the other side through the second conductor bar 40, the attachment prong 3| and the clip 28.

It is preferred to position a cylindrical collar 4 4 of insulating material between the shell 35 and the upstanding ends of the conductor bars 38 and which are connected to the attachment prongs 3|, 3I. Sh0rt-circuiting between .theshelland the second conductor bar 49 and between the shell and the attachment prongs 3|, 3|. is thus completely prevented. Additional insulation may be provided within the lamp holder by a sheet of fiber 45 extending parallel to the base 32 between the base and the bared The fiber sheet 25 has openings therein through which the attachment prongs 3| extend, but otherwise shuts off all electrical connections from the strip conductors.

,,To position the parts here described within thei'space enclosed by the cover 29 and the botltom 2|,Lthe electrical connections are flrstat- [,taChedtothe baseand to each other as de- .scribed, ,A sufficient length of insulating material I! being removed from the conductor strip I4 at the desired locationof the lamp holder, the

assembled electrical connections are then applied to the bare conductors I8 and I9 by slip- ,ping the conductor clips 28 over the conductors.

Thereupon, the cover 20 is placed over the asthe clips to griptheconductorsmorefirmly and the shell 35 extends outwardly through a circular opening 46 in the cover which gives access to the central chamber 33 therein. A shouldered bushing 41 of insulating material internally threaded to engage the corrugated threads of the shell 35 is thereupon screwed onto the projected end of the shell to hold the base, the electrical connections fixed thereto and the immediately adjacent portion of the conductor strip within the top. See Figs. 2 and 9. Next, the bottom 2| is fixed in place by means of the screws 22, 22. The unit is now completely assembled. It is here noted that the ends of the top 20 and the bottom 21 close about the insulation of the conductor strip M almost completely protecting the sections of the conductors I8 and I9 from which insulation has been removed for the electrical connections. The entire assembly may now be fixed in place by means of the fixing screws 25, 25, the conductor strip being thereby additionally fixed in place with respect to the lamp holder. The electric light bulb 16 may now be screwed into the shell 35 for connection in circuit between the continuous conductors l8 and 19 of the strip.

Although the invention has been described in connection with an electric light bulb, it will be obvious that this bulb or lamp may be replaced by known types of threaded plugs having slots therein for connection with usual forms of attachment plugs.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the invention provides a simple, light, small and safe receptacle or lamp holder for connecting an electric light bulb or like threaded electrical appliance in circuit with the continuous conductors of an electrical conductor strip. The lamp holder is easily applied, and makes a neat and pleasing appearance.

The form of invention here disclosed and illustrated in the drawings is presented merely as an example of how the invention may be applied. Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention coming within the proper scope of the appended claim will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the electric wiring art.

We claim:

A lamp holder comprising a base of insulating material; a metallic shell fixed to one face of said base and extending substantially at right F angles therefrom, said shell being corrugated to form a helical thread therein for reception of the stem of an electric light bulb; a conductor bar fixed to said base in electrical contact with said shell extending outwardly of said base therefrom; a second conductor bar fixed to said base for contact with the axial end contact of the electric light bulb extending outwardly of said base in opposite direction to that of the first named conductor bar; conductor clips for engaging each of two bared electrical conductors of an insulated conductor strip disposed adjacent said base; and an attachment prong formed on each of said clips, one of said attachment prongs being connected to each of said conductor bars; in combination with an arched cover of insulating material, having a circular opening therein through which said shell extends beyond said top; a bottom of insulating material closely fitting with said cover to inclose said base and the elements connected thereto and to surround closely the insulation of the conductor strip beyond the ends of said clips; and a threaded bushing of insulating material externally engaging the threads of said shell and bearing upon the outer surface of said cover to draw said shell, said base, and the elements connected to said base within said cover; whereby an electric light bulb screwed into said shell and in contact with said second conductor bar at the end of its stem will be connected in circuit between the conductors of the conductor strip.

JOSEPH F. OBRIEN. JOHN B. CATALDO.

KENNETH E. VROOM.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 646,009 Pfatischer Mar. 27, 1900 838,811 Salisbury Dec. 18, 1906 864,427 Lawrence Aug. 27, 1907 918,617 Walsh Apr. 20, 1909 1,220,608 Cuthbert Mar 27, 1917 1,291,268 Tresselt Jan. 14, 1919 1,616,174 Berthold Feb. 1, 1927 2,215,715 Peck Sept. 24, 1940 2,313,960 OBrien Mar. 16, 1943 

